Amway Research Points to Youth as Entrepreneurial Asset in Lithuania

The fabled Greek biographer Laertius wrote that “The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.”

That adage is being explored throughout the Republic of Lithuania, where recent research commissioned by Amway demonstrates that entrepreneurial initiatives in that country can be enhanced in profound ways by investing heavily in Lithuania’s youth.

The findings helped fuel discussions between the American Chamber of Commerce and Lithuanian representatives from the business, political and educational sectors during Global Entrepreneurship Week this past November – with all parties eager to explore the long-term effects of entrepreneurship.

During roundtable discussions on Youth Entrepreneurship at the event in November, as well as the Economic Forum of Young Leaders in September, strategies were explored in efforts to establish stronger links between Lithuania’s business environment and youth entrepreneurship.

Amway’s research — and subsequent efforts to expand business opportunities for youth – were praised by Lithuania’s Minister of Education and Science, Dainius Pavalkis, who emphasized that “investing in youth entrepreneurship should provide the greatest return to the state.” Pavalkis noted, too, that “investment measures to promote entrepreneurship is not enough,” and called on advocates to also stress the fundamentals of a sound education.

Lithuania’s interest in entrepreneurship mirrors that of other countries that also have been the subject of Amway research, which concludes that entrepreneurship is directly linked to global prosperity, sustainable development and economic growth.

Thanks to Sarah Wellner for sharing this story. Photo credit: Economic Forum of Young Leaders 2014.